The head of this little dog is imposing compared to its body, its forehead is bulging with the almost human expression that characterizes the Brussels Griffon. The length of the body is almost equal to the height at the withers, which in profile almost gives it a square shape. He has a harsh, wavy, red or reddish coat with an undercoat. The head may be black in color.

The Brussels Griffon is classified by the Fédération Cynologiques Internationale among the group 9 Companion and Toy Dogs, section 3 of small Belgian dogs. (1)

The Brussels Griffon shares its origins with two other breeds of dogs originating from the surroundings of Brussels, the Belgian Griffon and the Petit Brabançon. All three have as a common ancestor a small, wire-haired dog called “Smousje”.

In the XNUMXth century, the portrait of the Arnolfini couple, a painting by the Flemish painter Van Eyck, represents a dog which could well be one of the precursors of the breed.

A little later, in the XNUMXth century in Brussels, this dog was used to rid their stables of rats and watch over coaches.

It was only later that the Brussels Griffon established itself as a pet thanks to its pleasant character. It was presented for the first time at the Brussels exhibition in 1880 and at the beginning of the XNUMXth century, the interest that Marie-Henriette of Belgium had in it helped to popularize it and encouraged its export all over the world.

The Brussels Griffon has a balanced temperament. He is a small dog that is always alert and very vigilant. This is the reason why the Brussels coachmen employed him to supervise the stables. He is also very attached to his master and is neither fearful nor aggressive. On the contrary, he has a proud character, but is extremely sociable and does not support loneliness very much. It is recommended for families who are present often and can give it regular attention.

The Brussels Griffon is a robust dog and, according to the 2014 Kennel Club of the UK Purebred Dog Health Survey, almost three-quarters of the animals studied showed no signs of disease. (3)

Despite its good general health, the Brussels Griffon is, like other pure breeds of dog, susceptible to developing hereditary diseases. Among the most common conditions are, hip dysplasia, medial patella dislocation and Respiratory Obstruction Syndrome (4)

Coxofemoral dysplasia

Coxofemoral dysplasia is an inherited disorder of the hip joint. The wrong position of the femur in the hip results painful wear and tear on the joint, as well as tearing, localized inflammation and possibly osteoarthritis.

The first signs appear during growth and the disease worsens with age. Usually limping after a period of rest and reluctance to exercise guide the diagnosis. The latter is then verified by an X-ray of the hip

In order to preserve the comfort of the dog’s life, osteoarthritis and pain can be controlled by the administration of anti-inflammatory drugs. This treatment is usually sufficient. Surgery or the fitting of a hip prosthesis are only considered for the most serious cases. (4-5)

Medial dislocation of the patella

Medial patella dislocation is a congenital orthopedic disorder. It is most common in small dogs. The patella, also called limpet, is moved out of the notch supposed to receive it in the femur. The displacement can be lateral or medial. This last possibility is the most frequent and is often associated with ruptures of the cranial cruciate ligament (15 to 20% of cases). In 20 to 50% of cases it affects both knees.

The dog first develops a slight intermittent limp, then, with the worsening of the disease, this will intensify and become more lasting.

Simple palpation of the knee allows the diagnosis, but it may be necessary to take x-rays to complete the clinical picture and rule out other pathologies. Medial patella dislocation is then classified into four stages depending on the severity of the damage.

Treatment is mainly based on surgery to reform the femoral fossa that houses the kneecap and repair damage to the ligaments. Since secondary osteoarthritis can appear, drug treatment is generally recommended. (4-6)

Upper respiratory tract obstruction syndrome

Upper respiratory tract obstruction syndrome is a congenital condition that results from damage to multiple organs. The soft palate is too long and flaccid, the nostrils are narrowed (stenosis) and the larynx hampered (collapse). The respiratory discomfort is due to the too long part of the soft palate which obstructs the glottis during inspiration, the stenosis of the nostrils and a decrease in the diameter of the trachea.

This syndrome is found particularly in the so-called brachycephalic races, that is to say with a short skull. The first signs are most often discovered at a young age. Puppies have difficulty breathing and breathe loudly, especially when agitated. They should therefore be avoided any form of stress.

Diagnosis is based on observation of clinical signs, stenosis of the nostrils and breed predisposition. The exploration of the involvement of the larynx by a laryngoscopy is then done under anesthesia.

Surgery is necessary to correct the damage to the soft palate and larynx. The prognosis is good but then depends on the extent of the laryngeal collapse. It is more reserved if the trachea is also affected. (4-5)

Don’t be fooled by the small size of the Brussels Griffon. If this makes him an ideal apartment dog, he nevertheless requires daily outings and remains an active dog. Boredom causes them to behave destructively.

The Griffon’s coat requires regular grooming.